A LITTLE INTRIGUE AMONG TEXAS LAWYERS

Waco attorneys charged in conspiracy to murder plot

By Kristin Hoppa and Tommy Witherspoon

Waco Tribune-Herald
May 23, 2020

Two Waco lawyers were arrested Friday on charges that they plotted to kill an ex-husband, who had been arrested earlier this year on child molestation allegations.

Waco police arrested Seth Andrew Sutton, 45, and Chelsea Tijerina, 33, each on a first-degree felony charge of conspiracy to commit capital murder. Sutton paid an undercover Waco police officer to buy a gun to kill Tijerina’s former husband, Marcus Beaudin, a fellow Waco defense attorney, police allege in arrest affidavits.

According to the affidavits, Sutton solicited an undercover officer on May 14 to kill Beaudin, and the two exchanged ideas about the plot. Sutton told the officer he would give him $300 to buy a gun and said he would help the officer leave town after committing the murder, the affidavits state.

Beaudin, 37, was arrested in February on a felony charge of indecency with a child. Woodway police accused Beaudin of sexually touching a 10-year-old family member in December. He has not been indicted by a grand jury, and Beaudin’s attorney, Josh Tetens, has said Beaudin denies the claims.

After the initial meeting between Sutton and the undercover officer, Waco police enlisted the help of the Texas Rangers on May 20. The next day, Sutton and Tijerina met with the undercover Waco officer to plan the hit, the affidavit states.

Tijerina provided details about Beaudin’s whereabouts and how to carry out the murder, police reported.

“Chelsea Tijerina (Beaudin) and Sutton provided a timeline for the murder as well as establishing alibis for Chelsea Tijerina (Beaudin) and Sutton,” the affidavit states. “On May 22, Sutton met (with the undercover officer) an provided (the officer) with $300 to purchase a firearm to be used to murder Marcus Beaudin.”

The alleged plot was to be carried out at Beaudin’s home, the affidavit states.

Sutton participated in a Zoom court hearing with a client Friday in 54th State District Court, officials said.

Waco police arrested Sutton near Bosque Boulevard and New Road on Friday evening, jail records state. Tijerina was arrested at her Waco home Friday night by Waco police.

Waco attorney Jessi Freud confirmed Friday she is representing Tijerina but declined further comment.

State District Judge Matt Johnson, who signed the arrest warrants for both Sutton and Tijerina, set bonds at $1 million each. They both remained in jail Saturday